"There are many ironies in the furor around the individual mandate. The fact that it was originally a Republican idea tends to get the most attention. But here’s another: There is no better deal in the legislation — and there has perhaps never been a better deal in the individual health-care market — than to go without insurance and pay the mandate’s penalty."

"… The Affordable Care Act’s provisions are popular, even as the bill itself remained unpopular. That poll was from Reuters/Ipsos, and Greg Sargent smartly asked them for the crosstabs. Digging in, he found that the ironies go even deeper than that. It’s not just that most of the Affordable Care Act’s provisions are popular. It’s that they’re popular with Republicans…"

The first article I found amazing. With the ACA as law with the mandate in place, any citizen can buy complete medical coverage for $700 (or 2.5 percent of your annual income), when they need it or not, pre-existing condition or not.

If you CHOOSE to have no insurance policy at all, you get diagnosed with something major like cancer, you pay the $700 penalty and you have complete medical & rehabilitation coverage to save your life. You didn't lose your life savings, your house, you didn't bury your family's financial future in debt either. Just $700.

Also, the mandate is what finances the whole deal, not added debt. If everyone pays the mandate the insurance pool gets cheaper and bigger and coverage is expanded to everyone. Fail to pay the mandate and it's a tax penalty (not a death panel )

How about they say, "OK health insurance is NOT mandatory, BUT if you don't have health insurance you do NOT qualify for Medicare or Medicaid payments! You're on your own -forever." That means Drs, Hospitals & charaties would have to pick up the tab. The $700 fine seems so paultry. Yes people might be out of coverage, but how many will be out of coverage if this is overturned and isn't fixed ?? ... ah millions !

I bet the ones that don't have coverage are thinking, well if I have a really bad health issue, I can get Medicaid. But how about, No insurance- no qualify - ever !

According to Lawrence O'Donnell last night, the Penalty for not paying the mandate is under $100. There is no other penalty, no threat of arrest or jail time for tax evasion, no liens, etc. All of those are rightwing talking points on the same level as death panels.

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